Activists will target power station

Environmental activists are planning a "mass invasion" of a power station following a vote by thousands of people attending the climate camp.

The decision to name e.on's Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in Nottinghamshire for the protest in October follows a debate at the camp to determine which site should be targeted next for direct action.

The activists described the coal-fired plant as Britain's third most polluting power station.

The camp, which has been set up on Blackheath in London, held the online poll over recent weeks, attracting more than 2,000 votes, with Ratcliffe coming ahead of other suggestions including the Drax power station in Yorkshire. Groups are now planning to descend on the power station on October 17 and 18 by land, water and air, and say they will shut it down.

Earlier this year, 114 people were arrested for conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass at the power station. No charges have been brought in connection with incident.

Activists said the success of last week's "swoop" on the Blackheath site for the week-long camp is being seen as a model for the October invasion.

"Under the noses of police officers deployed across London who were determined to learn the location of the camp before Wednesday, activists used sophisticated communication techniques to outwit the Met (police) and set up the camp.

"Now those skills will be used to enter the Ratcliffe site and stop emissions from the site's 200 metre-high chimney," said a statement.

"This week's climate camp has seen hundreds of people who've never before taken direct action undergoing training and committing to taking part in the October invasion.

"They will be joined by thousands of other campers and by members of Plane Stupid, Climate Rush and Rising Tide who have shut down airports, business conferences and power stations and gained access to protected sites like the roof of Parliament."